© ATOM 2016 A STUDY GUIDE BY ROBERT LEWIS http://www.metromagazine.com.au ISBN: 978-1-74295-976-4 http://theeducationshop.com.au OVERVIEW Howard on Menzies (Simon Nasht, 2016), is a 2x57 minute documentary series about Australia’s longest-serving Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies, and the creation of post-war Australia. It is presented as an investigation by the second-longest serving Prime Minister and fellow Liberal Party member, John Howard, and is his exploration of the question: What did Menzies contribute to the development of modern Australia? Was the Menzies period, as former Prime Minister Paul Keating claimed, the ‘lost’ decades? Or did Menzies establish the basis of Australia’s post-war affluence and development? This is history told from the inside, from one master of the political game about another. Many of the situations faced by Menzies were also faced by Howard, and his personal insights provide a unique insight into the dynamics at play. Howard has a case to make for Menzies, but he is generous in including the voices and perspectives of prominent Menzies’ critics. CONTENT HYPERLINKS 3 BEFORE WATCHING THE FILM 18 IS HOWARD ON MENZIES AN EFFECTIVE DOCUMENTARY? 3 CURRICULUM APPLICABILITY 19 APPENDIX 1: ANALYSING MENZIES’ 8 EXPLORING IDEAS AND FIRST ‘FORGOTTEN PEOPLE’ TALK ISSUES IN THE FILM 22 APPENDIX 2: © ATOM 2016 © ATOM 9 EPISODE 1 MENZIES’ ELECTION RESULTS 14 EPISODE 2 22 MORE INFORMATION 2 BEFORE WATCHING THE FILM 1. Image study • Which is the most critical image? Explain why you chose that one. You probably know very little about Sir Robert Menzies, who • Which is the most sympathetic of flattering one? was Prime Minister from 1939-41, and 1949-63. He died in Explain why you chose that one. 1978. He was a controversial character, and there are de- • what is your overall impression of Robert Menzies from bates about his legacy — how effective a prime minister he these representations? was, and whether he helped shape modern Australia. • Why might artists have such different attitudes towards him? 1.1 Look at the artistic representations of Robert Menzies • Why do you think he might have been a controversial on pages 4, 5 and 6 (which can include paintings, car- and divisive character? toons, busts, figurines and photographs). They were made by a variety of people over different periods of time. For each discuss: Curriculum Applicability • What does it show? Howard on Menzies is relevant for senior students • What immediate impression do you get? (years 10-12) of: • Why do you get that impression — that is, what fea- tures or aspects of the artwork lead you to have that • Australian history (post-war Australia reaction? 1945-1965) • Politics 1.2 Write one or two words under each to summarise what • English (biography) it tells you about Menzies. • Media studies (the documentary form) • Art (including portraiture, and cartooning) 2016 © ATOM 1.3 At the end decide: 3 Back to page 3 William Dobell (1960) courtesy Art Gallery of NSW Unknown photographer (1963) courtesy National Portrait Gallery A B Ivor Hele (1954) courtesy Parliament House Canberra John Frith (1939) courtesy Australian War Memorial 2016 © ATOM C D 4 Back to page 3 Noel Counihan (1955) courtesy megaslides.com E Artist unknown (1951) courtesy National Library of Australia F © ATOM 2016 © ATOM Victor Greenhalgh (1962) courtesy National Portrait Gallery G 5 Back to page 3 Courtesy Menzies Virtual Museum Les Tanner and Gus McLaren (1970) courtesy National Portrait Gallery Les Tanner (1966) courtesy National Portrait Gallery H I J William Dobell (1960) courtesy National Portrait Gallery John Spooner (2004) courtesy National Library of Australia 2016 © ATOM K L 6 2. Creating a biography You are about to find out information about Robert his qualities, and so on. Add any more, and then put them Menzies. Think about what you would need to know to in this table in a logical sequence that helps you trace his understand a famous person and to follow their life. life. As you learn more about Menzies through watching Howard on Menzies, summarise what you learn in this 2.1 Create a table of these questions. For example, you table. You may find that the documentary also raises new would include when he was born, where, something about questions or issues to explore. Add these as they arise. his parents, some influences on the person, his education, ASPECT OF HIS LIFE/QUESTIONS WHAT I HAVE DISCOVERED © ATOM 2016 © ATOM 7 EXPLORING IDEAS AND ISSUES IN THE FILM As you watch Howard on Menzies the key aspects to focus on are: • What does it tell you about Menzies as a person? • Was he, as some claim, a drag on Australia, or • How did Menzies become Prime Minister? did his achievements help the development of • What did he achieve as Prime Minister? Australia? • What impact did his policies and actions have on • Is this documentary an effective one? Australia? At the end you will have developed answers to all these aspects. © ATOM 2016 © ATOM 8 Episode 1 1 Understanding the debate 3 Menzies as Prime Minister 1939-1941 about Menzies (Part 1 00:00-02:50) (Part 1 06:40-15:40) This is a film that will critically examine the influence 3.1 Menzies became Prime Minister in 1939. What prob- and achievements of a political leader. lems did he face? In the first 3 minutes we are given a brief overview of 3.2 In 1939 Menzies had to take the life and death decision the two main attitudes towards Menzies and his period of going into war. Howard talks about his own decision over of leadership of the nation as Prime Minister. 70 years later to send Australian troops to war. Do you think this interruption in the story of Menzies to focus on Howard 1.1 Briefly summarise the two attitudes towards is useful and helpful in understanding Menzies? Explain your Menzies. reasons. 1.2 What does former Prime Minister say his intention 3.4 In 1941 Menzies visited Britain. At this time the state in the film is? of the war was – Britain the only European nation still standing against Hitler, major cities being bombed nightly, 1.3 What would you expect from the film for it to be enemy warplanes attacking daily to shoot the British aerial convincing? For example, who should be asked to defences out of the sky to allow an invasion force to land comment? What events should be focused on? How by sea. What impact does this have on him? should ideas and comments be presented? 3.5 How was Australia’s security tied to the survival of 1.4 Add any information to your Menzies biography. Britain? 2 Menzies as a person 3.6 Why did he go to Britain? (Part 1 02:50–06:40) 3.7 What was his mission? The opening few minutes also give us information about Menzies in the years before 1949. 3.8 What was the outcome? 2.1 What do you learn about Menzies as a young 3.9 What impact did the visit make on him? person? 3.10 What point does the film make about the conflict of 2.2 What are key features of his personality? loyalties between Menzies’ British Empire loyalty and his responsibility for the defence of Australia? © ATOM 2016 © ATOM 2.3 What does the footage show of his political style? 3.11 Add any information to your Menzies biography. 2.4 Add any information to your Menzies biography. 9 5.6 Classroom activity: analysing The Forgotten People This part of the documentary focuses on Menzies’ series of 1942 talks, The Forgotten People. These talks revealed the ideas and the strategy that would create the Liberal Party, and lead Menzies to victory at six successive elections (see Appendix 2 for these results). Look at Appendix 1 to see the text of the first of these talks, and use the questions accompanying this text to analyse what Menzies was saying. Menzies failed again in 1945 election, but won in 1949, thanks to Labor Prime Minister Ben Chifley’s mistakes. 5.7 How did Chifley’s attempt to nationalise the banks play into Menzies’ hands? 5.8 What was the nature of the choice at the 1949 4 How he responded to this defeat election? (Part 1 15:40-18:40) 5.9 Add any information to your Menzies 4.1 What happened within Menzies’ party back in biography. Australia? 4.2 Here again we see an interruption or aside to the Menzies story when Howard talks about his own early political defeat. Is this an effective device in helping us understand and empathise with Menzies? 4.3 We then learn more about his background. Go back to your biographical profile and add any information. 5 Menzies returns to power (Part 1 18:40-33:30) A key element now is a discussion of how he learned from his defeat, and what he started to do to build for future success. He was recalled as leader again after the disas- trous results for the UAP in 1943. He agreed, on condition that he was free to structure a new party, which became the Liberal Party. 5.1 Menzies identified and appealed to the ‘forgotten peo- ple’. Who were they, and what were their values? 5.2 Why had they been previously ignored? 5.3 Menzies needed a party machine to enable him to win power. How did he create it? 5.4 What were its guiding principles that set it apart from others? © ATOM 2016 © ATOM 5.5 How was its appeal to women important? 10 5.10 Classroom activity: analysing a cartoon representation of the election.